By Irishexaminer.com Liam Heylin
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, 33-year-old Darren Warren of no fixed address was jailed for four years and six months with the last six months of that sentence suspended for offences including assault causing harm to both garda铆, production of a crutch during the violent incident, and related charges of resisting garda铆.
Judge Helen Boyle said: 鈥淭his happened in broad daylight in Cork city centre. Two guards came across you acting aggressively to a female. I have seen the CCTV and they were dealing with you in a perfectly ordinary manner, talking with you, engaging with you.
“When there was an attempt to arrest you, you assaulted both of them. It had a serious impact on two members who are entitled to go to work and go home from work safe and sound every day.
You used to play with the Cork minors but you have fallen a long way since then.
“You are at a high risk of re-offending unless you address your risk factors.鈥
Sergeant Alan Hurson described the background to the attacks on Garda Maher and Garda Dromey at Lapp鈥檚 Quay, Cork, on October 18, 2024. The two garda铆 were on duty in the area at 2.45pm that day when they became aware of a group of unruly homeless people in the Lapps Quay area.
One man was acting aggressively towards a woman so garda铆 approached. Darren Warren gave a false name and later resisted arrest by putting his arms firmly behind his back as Garda Dromey was trying to arrest him.
Garda Maher came to his assistance but Darren Warren caught her in a doorway and was choking her. He then caught Garda Maher by the hair and dragged her on to Lapp鈥檚 Quay.
As Garda Dromey intervened he received punches to the head. Pepper spray had to be used on the accused. Despite this, Darren Warren grabbed a crutch from a woman and struck Garda Dromey with it in the head, arm and body.
The defendant鈥檚 previous convictions include one for assault, one for assault causing harm, one for assaulting a police officer and four for obstructing or resisting a police officer as well as public order offences.
Jessica Kelleher, defence barrister, said the accused had written a letter of apology to the two garda铆. She said Mr Warren had mental health difficulties.
鈥淣o doubt it is a nasty incident. Mr Warren accepts that. There is no getting away from it. Also there is not a very good probation report on him. I think the letter of apology shows some insight into his behaviour.
“He was homeless at the time and in the throes of his alcohol addiction. He was a working, contributing member of society before this and he wants this for his life,鈥 Ms Kelleher said.